Devotional: ‘God’s Heroes of Faith’

Hebrews 11 is one of the amazing chapters in the Bible. Many have referred to it as God’s ‘Heroes of Faith.’ Abraham is listed there and so is his wife Sarah.

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)

 “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.” (Hebrews 11:11)

Devotional: ‘Walking by Faith is an Adventure’

It’s fun to read about the stories of faith in the Bible but it is something else to be the center of one of those stories. Everyone gets pumped up when they read about David bravely going up against a giant named Goliath. Or, we love to read about Elijah drenching the altar with water just before he called down fire from heaven. But how willing are we to face the giants? How strong is our faith when everyone is watching us to see what happens? Here are three things I see about Abraham’s step of faith.

Devotional: ‘Called by God’

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

The Bible says that Abraham was called by God. What does it mean to be ‘called?’ William Hendriksen defines the call of God in this way: “the operation of the Holy Spirit whereby he so applies the gospel to the minds and hearts of sinners that they become aware of their guilt, begin to understand their need of Jesus Christ, and embrace him as their Lord and Savior.” [1] We might look for another definition, but I think that Hendriksen has done a good job. What is he telling us?

Devotional: ‘Taking a Bold Step of Faith’

Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

I have often wondered what it was like for Peter to take that first step. Was he filled with courage and confidence, or was there a tinge of apprehension? I have also wondered what it was like for the rest of the disciples. Did one of them say to Peter, “You’re crazy. You can’t do this!”, or did some of them secretly wish that they had such faith? This is one thing we can be sure of, none of them ever forgot that night.

Devotional: ‘Experiencing What it is Like to Walk on the Water’

To me, one of the most amazing stories in all of Scripture is Peter walking on the water. How could anyone possibly do something like this? Everyone knows that water will not sustain the weight of a human body. To make this even more amazing, it occurred during a raging storm in the dead of night.

Matthew 14:22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Devotional: ‘God is a Rewarder of Those Who Diligently Seek Him’

Numbers 14:11 Then the Lord said to Moses: “How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

Would God have actually disinherited His people and started all over again? Some say yes because God does not make idle threats and others say no because God doesn’t make empty promises. To be honest, I don’t know where the answer is yes or no. This I do know, this was not the first time God had threatened to do away with these rebellious people. We read from the book of Exodus – “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” (Exodus 32:9-10) On both occasions, Moses pleaded with the Lord to not destroy His people. Moses’ appeal was not based upon the goodness of the people but on the grace of God. “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” (Numbers 14:19) “Show the world how great Your mercy is by forgiving this people.”

Devotional: ‘Have Faith in God’

This week we have been studying the story of the 12 spies who were sent into the land of Canaan. From our studies, we have seen that ten of the spies were frightened by what they saw. Though they could not deny that it was a land flowing with milk and honey, they could not get past the point that it was also filled with giants. For them, the obstacles were greater than the opportunities. But it was very different for Joshua and Caleb. They believed that if God gives you an opportunity, He will also help you overcome any obstacles.

Devotional: ‘One and God Make a Majority’

It was Fredrick Douglass who said, “One and God make a majority.” Let’s see how that statement plays out in today’s lesson.

After the Israelites left Egypt, the Lord led them to Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Law as well as the instructions on how to build the Tabernacle. After they left Mt. Sinai, the Lord led them to a place called Kadesh Barnea which would be their entrance into the Promised Land. But along the way from Sinai to Kadesh Barnea, something terrible began to happen.

Devotional: ‘Testing Our Faith’

Numbers 13:21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, near the entrance of Hamath. 22 And they went up through the South and came to Hebron; Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. The place was called the Valley of Eshcol, (cluster) because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there. 25 And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.

The spies were gone for 40 days and traveled nearly 500 miles. During that time, they saw many amazing things. First, they visited a city called Hebron. The book of Genesis tells us that Hebron was one of the homes of Abraham. After  Lot chose the well-watered plains of Sodom, Abraham moved to Hebron. The name Hebron means “fellowship.”  Abraham chose fellowship with God over the riches of this world. When his wife Sarah died, he purchased a cave there which he used as a place to bury her. Later, that cave would become his burial place as well, along with his son Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and his grandson Jacob and his wife Leah. Hebron was a very special and sacred place for the children of Israel. Afterward, the 12 spies went to the Valley of Eshcol. There they found an abundance of luscious fruit. Scripture says that they brought back with them a cluster of grapes that was so large it took two men with a pole to carry it. But they not only saw many opportunities, they all saw so many obstacles.

Devotional: ‘Do We See Obstacles or Opportunities?’

As many of you know, my life verse is Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” The word ‘impossible’ refers to a lack of strength or ability. This verse tells us that we have no ability to please God unless we do so by faith. Perhaps no portion of Scripture illustrates this better than passage we will study this week.